The US Coast Guard posted a notice reminding stakeholders of their ability to electronically check on the status of their vessel documentation paperwork at the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC). (4/16/15).

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DOT – drug testing programs
The Department of Transportation (DOT) promulgated a final rule expanding the definition of the chain of custody and control form (CCF) with regard to DOT-regulated drug testing programs to include both paper and electronic forms. The rule enters into effect immediately. It should be noted that the USCG drug testing program for US merchant mariners operates within this system. 80 Fed. Reg. 19551 (4/13/15).

Note: This item was brought to my attention by Richard Wells of the Offshore Marine Service Association via Captain Jonathan Kabak.

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This year’s Annual Port Wide Industry Day will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Baltimore Cruise Ship Terminal located at 2001 McComas Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. This event will be held in conjunction with the Federal Agency Trade Fair.

The Port-Wide Industry Day is designed as an informal exchange of information between the Coast Guard, Federal agencies, vessel operators, and Port of Baltimore stakeholders to exchange ideas and information in order to facilitate safe, secure, and environmentally sound maritime commerce. Presentations will address both local and national issues that impact the Port of Baltimore.

The Cruise Terminal has a predetermined climate control system so we recommend that you bring a jacket.

A faulty valve component can cause the disposable fire extinguishers not to fully discharge when the lever is repeatedly pressed and released during a fire emergency, posing a risk of injury. About 4.6 million units were sold in the U.S. and another 175,000 in Canada. Kidde has received 11 reports of the recalled fire extinguishers failing to discharge as expected. No injuries have been reported. Fire extinguishers that are included in the recall will be replaced.

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As a professional mariner, I much prefer Taco Tuesday to W-2 Wednesday. Nevertheless, Taxes are due on the 15th and we at Tall Ships America decided to take the time to discuss a few tax-related items before those last-minute filers submit their forms. Please note that TALL SHIPS AMERICA IS NOT LIABLE FOR THE IMPROPER FILING OF YOUR TAXES.

1. Yes, you’re a transient. But you’re still an American. Don’t attend public school anymore? Don’t stay in one place long enough to have a library card? Too young to have any hope of receiving Social Security before it runs out? Don’t use state-maintained highways because you’re always at sea? Hoping that there’s some clause that will expunge you of any tax obligations? My father says, “Too bad – you still have to pay your taxes.” Even if you’re an American working on a vessel in international waters, your earnings are still U.S. income, and must therefore be reported. Sailing in international waters or working on a foreign-flagged vessel does not mean that you are working in a foreign country and does not exempt you from U.S. income taxes. However, mariners paying non-U.S. taxes on that foreign income or mariners earning money while in foreign ports and foreign waters may be eligible for a ‘Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.’ Be warned that the conditions of this clause can be confusing, that many people have been audited for taking this exclusion, and that filing this form incorrectly can be viewed as tax evasion.

2. Deductions, deductions. Most of the time, I spend a few hours counting up every single out-of-pocket expense from the past year only to discover that I should just take the standard deduction. But, for those of you sailors interested in itemizing your every expense, a checklist by Tax Shack Inc or a worksheet created by CPA Martin Kapp may prove useful. Whether traveling to meet a ship, taking a USCG course to raise your credentials, feeding yourself on a day off, or purchasing job-related safety equipment, sailors can accrue a lot of expenses while traveling for work. Just remember that the only eligible items are the ones purchased out-of-pocket (and not reimbursed) – so no claiming those delicious hot meals that the cook provides every day!

3. Home is where the heart is? In 2013, I was hired by five independent companies, sailed on three tall ships and one racing boat, and received W-2s from four different states. It made filing my taxes a little daunting. But when I finally sat down at the computer, TurboTax threw out the most difficult question of all: What is your state of residence? Here are some suggestions from Scuttle or Swimas to how you can answer the question:

When you get off of the vessel, where do you go first?

Where do you own property?

Where have you signed leases?

Where is your family and ties?

Where are your bank accounts, management accounts?

Where are you registered to vote?

Where are your vehicles insured?

Where do you spend your time when you’re not working?

Now, this question is important, because mariners in the foreign, coastwise, intercoastal, interstate, or noncontiguous trade only have to pay state and local taxes in your state of residence, as opposed to your state of employment, and can claim nonresidency in all other states from which you’ve earned money (46 U.S. Code § 11108 – Taxes). According to the IRS, your residency can be anywhere that you intend to call home (and where you are physically present for a significant portion of time, of course). So that answers the legal question.

That said, when it comes to your personal sense of where home is, there’s a different question that I feel more accurately identifies the place I call home: Where do you wash your laundry?